Wednesday, April 8, 2009

A story to warm and wrench the heart

Saw this on Cup of Jo this morning and thought I would share it here just in case you, like me, didn't know about the website called Days with My Father. Through photos and reflected moments, Phillip Toledano shares the story of his father who, because he had lost his short term memory, couldn't even remember that his wife had passed away.

Simultaneously heartwarming and heartbreaking, I couldn't even get through half the pages before my eyes welled with tears. But by the end, I had a smile on my lips. Though sad, Edward Toledano's life is also inspiring. I loved what Phillip had to say about his father at the end:

My father had no time for growing old. He was like a river. Always in motion, flowing forward with loose-limbed vigor. Sweeping past every obstacle with a smile, dancing and shimmering in the sun. Every door was there to be opened. Every window to be peered into.

Just last week, on his 99th birthday, I asked him how old he thought he was.

Grinning, he said: "22 and a half?"

Though he didn't think anyone would care to read his father's story, I'm glad Phillip shared his experiences and opened his heart to world. It really put life in perspective for this 24 year old.